Walmart, Salvation Army partnership a success in WNC

Sunday

Dec 9, 2012 at 10:32 AM

In August, Walmart reached out to the Salvation Army with an interesting proposition. The idea they pitched came to fruition on Saturday as the two teamed up for the “Fill the Truck for Local Kids” event.

By JOEY MILLWOOD Times-News Staff Writer

In August, Walmart reached out to the Salvation Army with an interesting proposition. The idea they pitched came to fruition on Saturday as the two teamed up for the “Fill the Truck for Local Kids” event. The donated toys are going to be distributed as a part of the Angel Tree program.

It was the first time ever that a Salvation Army truck sat outside of Walmart locations, ready to be filled with toys and coats. Most delivery trucks come to Walmart to unload, but the Salvation Army truck filled steadily as the day progressed.

As shoppers flowed into the store, they were greeted by Salvation Army volunteers and bell ringers. Most of them were holding up signs that said, “toy donations.”

Some shoppers came prepared, and some saw the truck and made a purchase inside the store. For Bonnie Brewer, it was a little bit of both.

“I thought about it and when I saw the truck, I knew I had to do it,” the Hendersonville resident said after she handed off a toy keyboard.

The truck filled up with dolls, balls, books, cars, board games and even a stack of donated coats. The one-day event was took place all over the country. Locally, the Salvation Army was set up at the Hendersonville and Brevard Walmarts.

West Henderson High School’s JROTC pitched in for two hours on Saturday, and at least one cadet took his volunteering a step further.

First Lieutenant Clark Brucken’s grandmother and aunt came out and donated three bags of toys for the cause. “I’m glad to give back to the communi-ty,” Brucken said. “It’s nice to help.” The group had just marched in the Fletcher Christmas Parade.

The donations ranged from teens bringing small baby dolls to one woman donating an entire buggy of toys, volunteer coordinator Cheryl Gudger-Thompson said.

“We weren’t really sure how it would go,” Gudger- Thompson said. “I’m impressed with the amount of donations. It’s been productive.”